Nailed It!

Nail art done professionally can get pretty expensive. I discovered a few tips and tricks to cut your costs on those luxurious nail-painting appointments. All you need is resourcefulness, dexterity (which I don't have yet, but I'm working on it), and creativity. :)

1. If you have old, unfinished nail polish bottles lying around the house, don't lose hope yet. You can bring them back to life with the help of solvent. You can buy a bottle of this substance in Watson's or any other department store or supermarket. I use the Caronia brand. What it basically does is it thins out clumped polishes and helps remove other nail implements. Just pour a minute drop or two into your nail polish bottle, close the cap, and shake the bottle to submission. Please don't sniff it as the smell can get addictive. (Php 31.50) 
2. Invest in a great base and top coat polish. Well, you don't really have to sell your organs to afford one. Caronia has a good top coat (Php 44.25) that's widely available, plus, it's fast-dry too! For my base coat, I rely on Etude House -- a bottle cost me around Php 48. I also use this kwik-dry thing that I put on my cuticles after I finished painting my nails to help the polish dry faster. Saw this technique whenever I went in for professional manicures and pedicures. Mine's from Bobbie. Again, these are department store/supermarket/drug store brands. Easy accessibility. :)
3. There are a wide variety of options for nail art stuff. You can go with decals, stickers, stick-on jewels, fimo sticks, artificial nails, nail art pens and tools, and so much more! Jazz up your digits in more ways than one! The price range varies from 10 pesos to infinity! Hehe. It really depends on what you're more comfortable using. If you're a DIY nail art newbie like me, I suggest you start off with nail stickers, as they can be the easiest ones to apply/use. Watsons shelves have them. You can also check out your nearest Hortaleza branch. They're available online as well. (If you know where else to get them, please comment down below, thanks!) Just search for them on Multiply. :) For how-to tutorials, please check out Youtube, as many nail art gurus posted helpful videos on the matter. I've been dying to try the ombre and this marble thing I saw on Youtube once -- maybe not now. Perhaps when I've gained much confidence and when my crabby hands decide to hold steady long enough for me to finish an entire hand.
4. Invest in a really good mani/pedi set and DIY mani-pedi yourself, or have your nails cleaned and buffed professionally, if you're more comfortable with that. Usually, cleaning, shaping, and buffing (without the polish/nail art) cost less. You can work on the nail art design at home. Tutorials on how to do your own nails are all over Youtube as well.
5. Fear not! The first couple of tries won't be perfect (check out my crappy right hand nail art -- or something like it), but over time, you'll get the hang of it and you'll be more comfortable with doing it yourself. It really takes a lot of dexterity to get the design dead-on. Start with simple designs, such as this French Tip-esque neon orange style. I just added on a few floral nail stickers to make things more interesting. I'm pretty happy with the outcome. Not bad for a first-timer, eh? :)
6. Look for nail art inspirations online. Tumblr and Pinterest can help narrow down your search, but then again, there's always Google to rely on in times of need.
7. Just go for it! It will take a lot of patience, practice, and polish to get you going on this DIY nail art business. :)) I'm only beginning to reap the benefits of DIY nail art because at the end of the day, I can do whatever I want with my nails and I don't have to spend a fortune while I'm at it! Plus, they look really cute and different! I hope to try out more techniques really soon. :)

Left hand
Used an old bottle of neon orange nail polish and some nail stickers.

Crappy right hand here. :)) sorry. Not ambidextrous!

Got these cute nail stickers from Pacita Complex (a market place a town away) today. Each sheet costs Php 10. Can you believe it?!

These ones are from Watsons. Got them the other day for Php 15 per sheet. I have them on my nails right now. :)

Hope these tips help! Feel free to post your DIY nail art projects on She Goes Thrifty's Facebook page. Share with me and everyone else your masterpiece. Let's get inspired together! :)

Love,

SGT <3

Batik Interlude

It's the second day of the week and I am already feeling the pressure! But I'm not complaining because I always remind myself that I'm blessed, and not stressed! ;)

So today, I was out and about in the city for my training. As I was telling you guys and girls, I landed a part-time gig. Okay, so it's a teaching post. That's all I'm gonna say. Can you imagine me as a teacher?! I can barely keep a straight face whenever I think about it, but it has to be done. I have to do my best at it because that's what I try to always do. 

I was given a set of modules to study, as well as sample Powerpoint lectures that I can pattern my lessons after. I'm still quite overwhelmed by how fast everything is going but I'm very much excited to start teaching! My demo is on Monday and I'm feeling quite nervous. I have a lot of studying to do!

I was also at my mom's office and in Robinson's Galleria (as I always am). The training ended earlier than expected so I had time to spare for a lunch date with my mom and time to do some errands on my own. I really tried my best to resist shopping but I ended up with a big bottle of cologne from Bench that I really love. I'm really into clean, fresh-out-of-the-shower scents! Teehee. Plus, I'm running out of cologne! Sometimes body sprays or perfumes are way too much, especially during erratic weather! 

Okay, enough of the rambling, here's my chosen outfit for the day:

P.S. I tinkered with Photoshop a little bit, tried to post-process and whatnot. The pictures came out different and I kind of like their cool, eccentric edge. They look so vintage. Shout-out to my mom who took these photos! <3

Dress: Custom-made
Shoes: MSE
Accessories: from Quiapo
Watch: Swiss Army

Pa-cute much? :P

I officially have the world's weirdest eyes.
Why am I banlag in this shot? T_____T

I fell in love with the print on this fabric! It screams ethnic and it
represents the heart and soul of Zamboanga culture. :)

Here's a practical tip (also, this is the story behind this dress): if you happen to see a fabric that you like, for example, you happen to visit Zamboanga and you went to shopper-happy with the batik, you can look for inspirations online and have your seamstress copy the design of your desired dress/top/pants/shorts/skirt for you. It will definitely help you save up! The production of this particular dress cost me around Php 300 (including the fabric). Had I bought it from Forever 21, this prolly would've cut me back Php 1000 or more! You can also check out the nearest fabric warehouse for one-of-a-kind fabrics that will surely produce a one-of-a-kind dress for so much less! ;)

Check out the criss-cross detail in the back!
The front is super modest and proper, but the back is where the action is!
A dress from the Forever 21 website inspired this style.

I just pulled these accessories from my display wall.
The red bracelets add the element of surprise
to the entire palette of this outfit.

Woops, bra is showing. :| Sorry about that. :P

All sun and smiles today! :)
I toned down the entire look with toffee-colored flats to let the
loud print of the dress speak for itself.

These shoes give me paltos despite its really soft material.
I've worn this pair thrice already and I still end up with
battle scars. :(

Here's to showcasing the beautiful colors of the Philippines! I love batik and I'm going back to Zamboanga (my father's hometown) for all that and more! Oh, before I go on daydreaming about beautiful things, please remind me to prepare for my teaching demo on Monday? :P

Love,

SGT <3

Tea Tree Oil - Pimple Control

Okay, so I tried making a tutorial video for y'all. Please be gentle. Ha ha! It's my first one and it's not exactly of the best quality since I used my phone for recording and I'm not exactly Quentin Tarantino, so please bear with me.

Anyway, I noticed that my pimples are starting to manifest since my period is just around the corner. I know some of you can relate to such a crappy PMS moment. Others have regular or for the luckier ones, very rare episodes. In any case, this video will (hopefully) help you get rid of those zits fast sans the harmful chemicals and the hefty price tag.

I give you, Tea Tree Oil! It has soooo many benefits and pimple-control is only one of them. You can also use it for dandruff, wounds, etc. Just Google its uses and you're set. Anyway, this video probably says it all.

Products Used:

Zen Zest Tea Tree Oil (Php 150/15mL bottle)

Human Nature Organic Aloe Vera and Guava Facial Wash

Pond's Acne Expert Pore Conditioning Toner

Cotton bud

Steps:

1. Cleanse your face with a facial wash that is especially for pimple control or for troubled skin.

2. Toner is optional at this point.

3. Put a few drops of the tea tree oil on the swab and dab away.

Sorry if the video's too short or too quick. I'm really camera-shy. Heehee. Anyway, tea tree oil really helps get rid of those nasty pimples before they even start wrecking havoc on your precious face. Remember, don't go poppin' them 'cause it will only make things worse. Just dab on tea tree oil and keep your face clean at all times. Here's to a more flawless you! :)

Love,

SGT <3

Girly in the City

Today, we dropped by The Medical City in Ortigas to visit a family friend, Ate Mitch, who recently underwent spine surgery for her bulging discs. It's been a day since her operation and she's doing great... in pain, but in good spirits.  

For today's outfit, I decided to go off-road and try something I haven't done before. I wore this custom-made batik dress for the first time. I initially wanted to wear my eclectic pink wedges from Celine but I figured since I'll be walking for a major part of the day, it won't exactly be practical and comfortable so I unearthed my trusty ol' Chucks and fishnets to make the entire look more interesting.

So what does this have to do with being a Girl on a Budget? Well, for starters, I had the dress custom-made by our local mananahi or seamstress for Php 200 or around $5. I got the cloth from a barter market in Zamboanga for about Php 130 or a little less than $3.50. The turquoise necklace costs around Php 90 (a little over $2) and I got it from my favorite wholesale accessories shop in Quaipo, Manila. The store is found along the street directly across the main entrance of the Quiapo Church. It's owned by either a Korean or a Chinese girl (sorry). I love going there because they have the cutest stuff at rock-bottom prices! You get even bigger discounts if you buy wholesale (meaning: 6 pieces and up - Trust me, you can't resist their great buys and bargains!). 

I was feeling a little girly than usual today. My first itinerary was the Dakila office in Kalayaan. 'Twas a long commute from Santa Rosa (where I live) to Quezon City. Would you believe that I almost got lost in Cubao on my way to my mom's office in Ortigas? There had been many renovations and relocations that I had a hard time looking for landmarks near the bus stops. :| So yes, I made rampa in Cubao with this whole ensemble! It was actually fun to see people stare and wonder what the hell I was thinking when I put the outfit on this morning. I just smiled, held my head high, and worked it. Confidence is free, after all. Plus, the people's curiosity is priceless!

So when I got to Ortigas, we made our way to the hospital then it was off to lunch with my sister-from-another-mother, Camille (aka Cacai). It was nice to catch up with her again. It's been ages since we last hung out and talked about some of our most favorite subjects - theater, college, fashion, and boys! I promise to take pictures of Cacai the next time I see her! I was such in a whirlwind that I forgot!

Anyway, another budget-friendly tip is this: have your local seamstress make your clothes. It will not only save you money (department store garbs cost a lot these days; boutique brands even more so!), it will also ensure that you get the fit, look, and feel that you want. You can opt to shop for your own cloth or material so you know how it feels on your skin for when you wear it later on. Then, surf the internet for inspirations. I usually go to Forever 21's website for the latest styles and trends then I have the seamstress "copy" the look and tweak a couple of things, if necessary. All-in-all, I think I saved Php 800 with this dress alone (compared to when I buy one off-the-rack). This option is a good alternative when you don't have enough moolah to splurge on new designer duds. After all, when you rock the look, who would know the difference? ;)

Thanks to my soul sister, Cacai for taking these shots. <3
Vote for this look on Chictopia HERE

Hello, old friend!

Just lettin' loose and havin' me some fun!

I say ROCK IT and forget what people say! Smile and feel that wind on your hair when you sa-shay down that runway, dahling! :)

My visitor sticker won't stick anywhere else! Looks like it found a cozy place in my New York & Co.  bangles. ($3)

Turquoise on pink? WHY NOT?

What's your ultimate save-up trick when it comes to shopping?

Love, 

SGT <3